Ondansetron ODT Viatris (Ondansetron)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ondansetron ODT Viatris Used For?
Ondansetron ODT Viatris belongs to a group of medicines called antiemetics. These special orally disintegrating tablets dissolve in a few seconds when placed on your tongue, making them easier to swallow than ordinary tablets.
Primary Uses
Ondansetron ODT Viatris is used to treat nausea (sick feeling) and vomiting that can occur after certain treatments. It should only be used for the specific nausea and vomiting conditions for which it has been prescribed.
How It Works
The medication works by helping to stop the nausea and vomiting which can occur after certain treatments.
Good to know: Ondansetron ODT Viatris orally disintegrating tablets are not addictive.
How to Take Ondansetron ODT Viatris
The pharmacist’s label on the pack will tell you exactly how to take your medication. Follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions carefully.
Dosage Instructions
Do not take more tablets than your doctor or pharmacist tells you. Do not take them more often than prescribed. To take the tablet: peel back the foil top of the blister strip and gently remove the tablet (do not push it through the foil as it’s fragile). Place the tablet on top of your tongue – it will disappear very quickly, then swallow as normal. If you vomit within one hour of taking your first tablet, you should take the same dose again. If you continue to vomit, tell your doctor.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose and don’t feel sick, take your next dose when you’re meant to. If you miss your dose and feel sick, take the missed dose as soon as possible, then continue taking your tablets normally. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled.
Important: Never take more tablets or take them more often than your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- A sensation of warmth or flushing
- Mild stomach cramps
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Hiccups
- Dizziness or light-headed feeling
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Chest pain or tightness of chest
- Changes in heart beat (faster, slower, irregular, or throbbing)
- Disturbance in heart rhythm (sometimes causing sudden loss of consciousness)
- Low blood pressure
- Abnormal muscular body movements or shaking
- Involuntary upward movement of the eyes
- Unusual muscle tone causing distortion of the body
- Fits or convulsions
- Serotonin syndrome (confusion, sweating, unsteadiness, shaking, diarrhea)
- Severe skin reaction where top layer of skin detaches
- Allergic reactions (wheezing, swelling of lips/mouth, difficulty breathing, hay fever, hives, fainting)
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where you should not take Ondansetron ODT Viatris or need to discuss with your doctor first.
Who Should Not Take Ondansetron ODT Viatris
Do not take if you are taking apomorphine (used to treat Parkinson’s disease). Do not take if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ondansetron or any ingredients in the tablets. Do not take after the expiry date or if packaging is torn or tampered with.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or other medicines; have or used to have liver problems; suffer from severe constipation or have a blockage in your gut; have phenylketonuria, as the tablets contain aspartame.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor says you should. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including those bought without prescription from pharmacies, supermarkets or health food shops.
Serotonin Syndrome: Patients may experience ‘serotonin syndrome’ (confusion, sweating, unsteadiness, shaking, diarrhea) when taken with other serotonergic drugs.
- Apomorphine (used to treat Parkinson’s disease) – do not take together
- Serotonergic drugs including certain antidepressants
- Opioid pain medicines such as tramadol and fentanyl
- Lithium
Alcohol & Driving
The medication can cause dizziness or light-headed feelings, which may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be cautious when driving or operating machinery as the medication may cause dizziness or light-headed feelings.
Temperature Regulation
No specific temperature regulation warnings mentioned in the source material.
Storage
Keep this medicine where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one and a half meters above the ground is ideal. Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills as heat and dampness can destroy the medicine. Keep tablets in their original pack until it’s time to take them, as they may not keep well if removed from packaging.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Ondansetron ODT Viatris, immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 131126) for advice, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Keep these telephone numbers handy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The tablets dissolve very quickly on your tongue in just a few seconds, but the source doesn’t specify how long it takes for the anti-nausea effects to begin working.
The source doesn’t mention any specific food restrictions, but you should follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions about when to take your medication.
No, Ondansetron ODT Viatris orally disintegrating tablets are not addictive.
If you vomit within one hour of taking your first tablet, you should take the same dose again. If you continue to vomit, tell your doctor.
There is limited experience in children, but Ondansetron ODT Viatris can be taken by children over 4 years of age.
These are ‘orally disintegrating’ tablets, which means they dissolve in a few seconds when placed on the tongue, making them easier to swallow than ordinary tablets.
You must tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria, as Ondansetron ODT Viatris contains aspartame.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.